After Transmigrating into a Book as Cannon Fodder, I Pampered the Villain - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Remembrance

“Master, I haven’t gone crazy from the illness,” Yu Yingxia said, caught between laughter and tears. “It’s like this: that Immortal left a shred of her soul within the technique, and I just happened to encounter her.”

Yan Huaixi withdrew her hand, but the suspicion and worry in her eyes didn’t vanish entirely.

“Is that so?” Because she had just faced the possibility of having misunderstood Yingxia, Yan Huaixi genuinely wanted to believe her now.

However, she took the manual and gave it a shake, detecting no other presence or power within it. The Yan family had studied this manual for generations; for a thousand years, no one had established contact with the Ancestor. Why would the Ancestor take an interest in an outsider now? And choose to leave her inheritance to her?

If Yingxia possessed world-shaking talent, Yan could convince herself the Ancestor was impressed. But Yingxia’s talent was average at best. If this truly was the Ancestor’s choice, Yan Huaixi couldn’t fathom what she saw in her. She even considered whether Yingxia had been deceived by some lonely ghost pretending to be Yan Qingxu.

“Yes, while I was unconscious, I saw a strange space. The Immortal’s divine sense appeared and gave me some tips on how to practice the technique.” Yingxia was in high spirits, but seeing Yan Huaixi’s half-doubting expression, she added, “The Immortal also said it was the appearance of Yan Zheng that woke her up. I just got lucky.”

This sounded more plausible. Still, Yan Huaixi had guarded her day and night and hadn’t sensed any suspicious soul fluctuations, so she couldn’t be one hundred percent certain.

“In that case, try it first. If you have any problems during cultivation, you can ask me. If it doesn’t work, switch to this one; it suits your spiritual roots well.” Yan Huaixi handed over the manual Jiang Li had brought as a backup. Yan Qingxu’s manual was bizarre based on her own research of the Soul Path, the contents were almost contrary to the laws of nature. It was normal not to be able to practice it.

“If you really do succeed with that technique, don’t rush to go deep. I need to check it first,” Yan Huaixi said, her tone serious. She emphasized that this technique would become the foundation of Yingxia’s life as a cultivator. Unless she destroyed her cultivation to start over later, there would be no turning back.

“Okay.” Yingxia nodded obediently. As long as Yan Huaixi didn’t want to kill her, being by her side was the safest place to be. Even a casual pointer from her was invaluable.

“Rest well at home for now, and try practicing the technique,” Yan Huaixi said, her voice softening. She leaned forward, placing both hands on Yingxia’s cheeks.

Yingxia froze, letting Yan’s thumb brush against her face. She noticed that when Yan was in a good mood, she liked to get close; when she was upset, she kept her distance. So, she must be feeling quite good right now.

If only she could keep a bit more distance, Yingxia sighed inwardly, for the sake of my poor heart. Even if Yan Huaixi was a volatile villain, there was no denying her immense charm. But asking her to stay away was impossible; it would only provoke her. Yingxia could only try to lean back slightly whenever she got the chance.

Warm energy stroked every inch of her skin, and Yingxia felt the space in her vision distort.

“I removed your disguise earlier to make it easier for the doctor to examine you. I’m putting it back on now, just in case anyone comes to visit,” Yan Huaixi explained.

Her fingertips slid from Yingxia’s face down to her neck. She was striving for perfection, but the moment she touched Yingxia’s throat, a residual physical reaction made Yingxia flinch and recoil.

Yan Huaixi didn’t think much of it, assuming Yingxia’s neck was simply sensitive and ticklish.

“Bear with it, it’ll be done soon,” Yan said, looking down. She didn’t notice the flash of fear that flickered in Yingxia’s eyes.

Once the disguise was set, Yan reminded her again not to experiment blindly with the Soul Path. Souls were fragile; mistakes could be fatal. She told a story of a junior who accidentally tore his soul into thousands of pieces, ending up as a permanent simpleton.

Hearing this, Yingxia immediately promised she wouldn’t try to be clever.

Yan Huaixi smirked, reached out to mess up Yingxia’s freshly tidied hair one last time, and then left.

The door closed, and the light in the room dimmed. In the shadows, Yingxia let out a heavy breath. She raised a hand to her neck. The wounds were healed now, leaving no physical trace of what this poor neck had endured that rainy evening.

She remembered now. In that torrential rain, Yan Huaixi hadn’t approached her to save her. She had come to kill her.

Yan must have been monitoring her and heard her conversation with that “thing.” She had been so enraged she wanted to end Yingxia without asking a single question. If Yingxia hadn’t been worrying about Yan’s safety even in her delirious state and murmured those words… would she be alive today?

Right, Yan Huaixi has always been suspicious by nature. Yingxia curled into a ball, hugging her knees. Her eyes were clouded with a sadness she couldn’t hide. Even if her rational mind understood the situation, her heart still hurt. After all this time together, she had hoped Yan Huaixi could grant her just a little bit of trust.

The wall and the door separated two worlds. Outside, the sunlight was bright, mirroring Yan Huaixi’s mood. Unlike her heavy footsteps upon arrival, her departure was brisk, almost buoyant.

Jiang Li, idling outside, stood up as the Master walked out. Even from a distance, she could see the smile on Yan’s face. She was incredulous. Yu Yingxia is truly something… she actually managed to coax the Master into a good mood so quickly?!

In all her years, Jiang Li had never heard of anyone successfully soothing the Master’s anger. Usually, when the Master was mad, everyone fled. To try and “coax” her required a level of confidence no one else possessed.

“Jiang Li.” Yan called her a few times, her tone sharpening on the last one to snap Jiang Li out of her daze. “What are you thinking about? I called you several times.”

“My apologies, Master…”

“Forget it.” Yan was in high spirits and didn’t care to bicker.

Jiang Li was so moved she nearly cried. The Master was truly in a good mood—she had never been this easy to talk to! It’s all thanks to Miss Yu! If I get a chance, I need to ask her for tips.

“What were they doing when you came over?” Yan asked, referring to her hidden forces outside the Longevity Sect.

“Initially, we followed the plan to support you, but then the sect internal crisis happened and you vanished. After we learned you escaped, we moved back into the shadows. Without your orders, we stayed put in the usual place.” Jiang Li reported everything. Fortunately, they had stayed calm and hadn’t exposed their connection to Yan.

“You did well. Next, have the moles in the Tianqiu Sect find a way to contact Fang Yuetong and gain her trust.”

“Tell Bai Xiao to hand over her current intelligence work to someone else. There’s something more important for her to investigate. A ‘dirty thing’ that’s been dead for years has resurrected. His every move will affect my plans. I need results quickly. Have Duan Ning go with her to protect her.”

Jiang Li recorded the orders and sent them off immediately. Once the official business was done, Yan went silent for a long time. Jiang Li prepared to take more notes.

“Jiang Li… if you were going to buy gifts for Bai Xiao or Duan Ning, what would you buy? And don’t record this part.” Yan saw Jiang Li still holding her brush and sent a flick of wind against her head.

“Me? Master, are you planning to bring them gifts when you return?” Jiang Li was shocked. She had never known Yan Huaixi to personally pick out gifts for anyone.

“No.” Yan kept a wooden face. She certainly wasn’t going to explain that this was an apology gift for Yu Yingxia. “Just answer the question. Don’t ask so much.”

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